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<br />Exhibit 2 <br /> <br />Prevent contaminants from enterinfl the wetland. <br /> <br />WHY? Healthy vegetated wetland buffers filter out nutrients and many contaminants from runoff and <br />groundwater. However, the capacity for filtration is limited and there are some household and agricultural <br />chemicals which are particularly toxic or non-biodegradable. Therefore it is important to minimize the <br />amount of contaminants which flow into the wetland buffer. <br /> <br />DO <br /> <br />. Maintain the septic system and have it pumped regularly (required at least once every three years). <br />. Take unwanted household chemicals to household hazardous waste collection centers. <br />. Reduce the use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides on lawns, gardens, and farms. <br />. Remove trash and debris from the wetland buffer because they physically impede plant growth and <br />may leach harmful chemicals. <br />. Start a household compost area for lawn clippings and vegetable wastes away from the wetland <br />buffer. Compost is a valuable soil conditioner which gradually releases nutrients to your lawn and <br />garden (using compost will also decrease the amount of fertilizer you need to apply). In addition, <br />compost retains moisture in the soil and thus helps you conserve water. <br />. If you elect to use a professional lawn care service, select a company that employs trained technicians <br />and follows practices designed to minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides. <br />. Test your soil before applying fertilizers. Over- fertilization is a common problem, and the excess can <br />leach into ground water or contaminate rivers or lakes. Also, avoid using fertilizers near surface <br />waters. Use slow- release fertilizers on areas where the potential for water contamination is high, <br />such as sandy soils, steep slopes, compacted soils, and verges of water bodies. Select the proper <br />season to apply fertilizers, incorrect timing may encourage weeds or stress grasses. Do not apply <br />pesticides or fertilizers before or during rain due to the strong likelihood of runoff. <br />. Calibrate your applicator before applying pesticides or fertilizers. As equipment ages, annual <br />adjustments may be needed. <br />. Keep storm gutters and drains clean of leaves and yard trimmings (decomposing vegetative matter <br />leaches nutrients and can clog storm systems and result in flooding). <br /> <br />DON'T <br />. Dump automotive wastes or household chemicals into the wetland or wetland buffer. <br />. Never pour unwanted chemicals on the ground. Soil cannot purify most chemicals, and they may <br />eventually contaminate runoff and our drinking water. <br />. Do not pour chemicals down the drain <br /> <br />Establish a wetland nei1!hborhood. <br /> <br />WHY? By the nature of water flow, wetlands and buffers are integrally connected to all parts of the <br />landscape. Water and ecology within wetlands is linked directly to all areas within and surrounding areas of <br />wetlands. Many wildlife species are dependent on these natural corridors. Stresses in one part of a wetland, <br />such as vegetation clearing, erosion or nutrient loading, can impact a wetland as a whole. <br />